Evaluating Mepitel in Post-mastectomy Patients and the Role of the Skin Microbiome in Radiation Dermatitis

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years.
• Histological confirmation of breast or chest wall malignancy
• Primary or recurrent disease eligible
• Post-mastectomy with or without reconstruction
• Undergoing unilateral external beam radiotherapy at the Mayo Clinic - Rochester, MN or Mayo Clinic - Eau Claire, WI
• Ability to complete questionnaire(s) by themselves or with assistance
• Provide informed written consent
• Willing to consent for photography of radiation field
• Available to return to Mayo Clinic in within 6 weeks post-treatment for assessment
• Able to initiate thin film usage within first 3 days of the initiation of treatment

Exclusion criteria

• Documented history of adhesive or tape allergy
• Unable to provide written consent
• Patients with prior radiotherapy to any portion of the planned treatment site
• Brachytherapy patients
• Patients with active rash, pre-existing dermatitis, lupus, or scleroderma
• Gross dermal involvement at initiation of radiotherapy
• Recent use of systemic or topical antibiotics or antifungal medications within 14 days of swab collection
• Recent use of any of the following within 14 days of swab collection:

• Systemic or topical steroids
• Use of systemic immunosuppressant drugs
• Use of ultraviolet light therapy
• Clinical evidence of infection that in the judgement of the principle investigator would interfere with proper assessment of the skin microbiome
• Prior organ or bone marrow transplant
• Current lactation
• Undergoing bilateral radiation